armenpress: GREECE, ARMENIA SET TO BOOST RELATIONS

&nbsp&nbsp YEREVAN, OCTOBER 29, ARMENPRESS:
Armenian prime minister Andranik Margarian recalled today the high-level political relations between Greece and Armenia, their effective cooperation in international organizations, as well as in military and technical contacts while receiving today a Greek delegation, led by deputy foreign affairs minister Loannis Magriotis. Margarian and the Greek diplomat stated the need for boosting trade and economic relations, mentioning also agriculture, tourism and science as perspective areas.

&nbsp&nbsp Greek deputy foreign minister said, that though the Greek businessmen are somewhat cautious about investing in Armenia, the fear is being gradually surmounted. The parties touched also upon the problem of Armentel, a subsidiary of Greek OTE. Andranik Margarian said that Armenia is interested in mutually beneficial cooperation with Armentel, but taking into account the developments in the sphere of technology, Armenia wants to have high quality communication services.

&nbsp&nbsp Andranik Margarian also mentioned, that Armenia will not expand the problems related to Armentel on Armenian-Greek relations, which are warm and friendly.

&nbsp&nbsp The deputy foreign minister Magriotis agreed with the Armenian prime minister and said, that his country is ready to develop relations with Armenia and develop programs in the sphere of education, health care, culture, language and youth problems.

&nbsp&nbsp The Greek diplomat met also today with Armenian foreign affairs minister Ruben Shugarian who appreciated highly the continuing support of Greece to Armenia in its drive to further integrate with pan-European organizations. Shugarian was meeting today with deputy foreign minister of Greece Ioannis Magriotis who has arrived in Armenia in the second leg of his visit to Black Sea basin countries.

&nbsp&nbsp Magriotis promised today to keep on agenda the issue of including the Southern Caucasus in EU initiative “Enlarged Europe: New Neighbors.” Both men emphasized their participation in the meeting of foreign ministers of Black Sea Economic Development (BSED) member countries in Baku, October 31. Shugarian thanked Greece for its initiative to organize a trilateral meeting of representatives of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia in Athens that will be looking in possible cooperation in culture, education and science, which he said may serve as a measure to build mutual confidence atmosphere. The two men also discussed a variety of other issues, related to bilateral and regional devleopments.